World Economic Forum annual meeting 2012

The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models

The contextual change at the top of minds remains the rebalancing and deleveraging that is reshaping the global economy. In the near term, this transformation is seen in the context of how developed countries will deleverage without falling back into recession and how emerging countries will curb inflation and avoid future economic bubbles. In the long term, both will play out as the population of our interdependent world not only passes 7 billion but is also interconnected through information technology on a historic scale. The net result will be transformational changes in social values, resource needs and technological advances as never before. In either context, the necessary conceptual models do not exist from which to develop a systemic understanding of the great transformations taking place now and in the future.

It is hubris to frame this transition as a global “management” problem of integrating people, systems and technologies. It is an indisputable leadership challenge that ultimately requires new models, bold ideas and personal courage to ensure that this century improves the human condition rather than capping its potential. Thus, the Annual Meeting 2012 will convene under the theme, The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models, whereby leaders return to their core purpose of defining what the future should look like, aligning stakeholders around that vision and inspiring their institutions to realize that vision.

Some highlighted events

Risks in the Global Supply Chain

From Japan to Thailand, the vulnerability with concentrating key elements of a global supply chain is readily apparent. This session examines risk management and risk resiliency in this new context, and builds on a related initiative of the Risk Response Network.

Adapting to Climate Risk

How are communities, companies and countries adapting to the risks presented by climate change?
Dimensions to be addressed:

- Assessing the impact of climate change risk
- Weathering chronic floods and droughts
- Integrating climate adaptation into development plans
- Financing climate adaptation

Complexity and Crisis: The Case of Japan

On 11 March 2011, Japan experienced a sequence of natural disasters of unprecedented scale, triggering its biggest nuclear crisis. In this session, a senior Japanese leader who was central in the rescue operation effort reflects on his experience confronting the most challenging and complex crisis to strike Japan in its post-war history.

Future Science with Nature Magazine

What recent breakthroughs in science will transform the world?
Discover and debate:

Idea 1: Understanding the influence of humans on natural disasters
Idea 2: Linking high food prices and social unrest
Idea 3: Controlling neurons with light: illuminating the path to fixing brain disorders
Idea 4: Building resilience in water scarce regions

Rio+20

How can the Rio+20 Summit deliver an implementable agenda for sustainability and development?
Dimensions to be addressed:

- Rethinking frameworks to advance sustainable development
- Integrating social, economic and ecological dimensions
- Moving from rhetoric to metrics